Age Is Only a Number

car

As one of the girls turns eighty this year, it got me thinking about the rules for renewing a driver’s license. Here in Ontario, Canada, the law requires an individual who drives to take a test when they turn eighty if they intend to continue driving. Now, I don’t know about you, but I would be lost without my car and the freedom it affords me. That being said, it is a scary thought to know that there are even younger seniors on the road who clearly should not be behind the wheel.

The test itself seems to focus on vision. In all honesty, it should probably be a little more intensive. I am the first to admit that most of us develop bad driving habits throughout our life, and it is a given fact that traffic has increased exponentially since any of us got our driving permit at sixteen. Add to that the fact that our reflexes are not what they used to be, and you have accidents just looking for a place to happen.

I remember many years ago driving with my aunt who at the time was in her late seventies. We were on our way to her house, and she kept making only right turns and driving around several blocks until she was going the right direction. I hesitated to question her, but finally asked her why. Well, apparently she didn’t like making left turns because the traffic was too busy, so she drove twice as far to reach her destination. I have since discovered that I have friends who do the same.

Our memories are also a problem as we get older. A friend of mine took the bus home from work one day. When she arrived home, her husband asked where the car was. She forgot that she had driven to work. Oops!

My neighbor who is 84 has recently had her license taken away by her family. She is none too pleased! It seems that for several months previously, she would leave home to do errands, but could never remember how to get back without asking for help. Then there were the days she simply drove around the block 10-15 times and parked in the driveway again. The final straw was the day she came home in a police car having no idea where she left her vehicle or where she lived. The thought of these seniors behind the wheel is scary.

So, if the time comes that we don’t pass the required test, how do we get around? The idea of depending on someone to take me where I want or need to go does not appeal to me at all. Many resort to these heavy duty three-wheel scooters.

These gals are certainly doing it in style. However, our winters would at some point be an issue.

I, myself, have always wanted to own an electric bike. The way I see it, it is economical, easy to park, and requires no license to drive it. The drawbacks , of course, are the weather, and where would the dog sit.

However, I would probably be better off sticking to this version. Luckily, I still have several years before I am faced with this decision, and hopefully my faculties will not fail me when the time to try my senior’s license rolls around. I do know my days of maybe trying this are well past.